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Cottus metae Freyhof, Kottelat & Nolte, 2005 |
| Family: | Cottidae (Sculpins) | |||
| Max. size: | 9.67 cm SL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | benthopelagic; freshwater | |||
| Distribution: | Europe: Sava river system, from the headwaters in NW Slovenia to the Medvesčak Stream at Zagreb, Croatia. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Anal soft rays: 12-13. Can be distinguished from other species of Cottus in the Adriatic basin and Danube drainage by the combination of the following characters; no distinct transverse bands on pelvic fin; prickling on body under pectoral fin, very rarely present shortly behind pectoral fin; depth of caudal peduncle 25-31% HL, 1.0-1.7 times in its length; body depth at origin of second dorsal fin 17-23% SL; interorbital distance 0.7-1.4 times in eye diameter; 15-16 1/2 rays in second dorsal fin; 12-13 1/2 anal-fin rays; last anal-fin ray connected to body by a membrane along 1/3-1/2 of its length; no membrane attaching pelvic-fin base to body; membrane of first dorsal fin usually not reaching origin of second dorsal fin in females; dorsal head length 21-25% SL; predorsal length 35-40% SL; distance from tip to snout to origin of second dorsal fin 54-59% SL (Ref. 55856). | |||
| Biology: | Inhabits small streams to medium-sized rivers. Attains first sexual maturity at 2-4 years. Spawns in March-April (Ref. 59043). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 22 July 2023 (B1b(iii)) Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||